Thursday, October 13, 2011

WINONA, Minn. — The Saint Mary’s University Gifts for Winona program is once again setting age requirements for applicants this year.

With more families asking for help and a smaller number of people who are in a position to donate, the program is once again being adapted. The program’s main priority is to provide gifts to children 18 years of age and younger and individuals 60 years of age and older. Families will only be able to report gift requests for family members in these age ranges.

The annual gift-giving program — in its 10th year — helps more than 1,400 people have a much happier holiday season. The program has grown significantly each year.

Families may pick up an application form through one of the human service agencies that they work with (Habitat for Humanity, Project FINE, Winona County Community Services, Winona Senior Advocacy Program, Winona Volunteer Services or Women’s Resource Center).

Completed application forms must be returned to Winona Volunteer Services (402 E. 2nd St.) from 3 to 6 p.m. Thursdays, Oct. 20 and 27; and 2 to 5 p.m. Fridays, Oct. 21 and 28. SMU volunteers will be available for assistance on these dates.

This program exists through the generosity of the Winona community, as well as the work of other community partners including: Winona Volunteer Services, Winona Radio and the Winona Post.

About Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota is dedicated to advancing the educational and career goals of today’s students. Saint Mary’s has almost 5,700 students enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs in Winona, the Twin Cities, greater Minnesota, Wisconsin and Nairobi, Kenya.

At Saint Mary’s 100-year-old residential campus in Winona, the undergraduate College curriculum combines traditional liberal arts and sciences with career preparation in a student-centered environment.

The Schools of Graduate and Professional Programs is one of the largest graduate schools in Minnesota. A pioneer in outreach education since 1984, the SGPP creates communities of learning when and where they are needed, serving both adult learners and the educational needs of society.